HOCKEY: U.S. wins gold at junior worlds

AP Photo
United States goalie John Gibson, center, celebrates with teammates Mike Reilly, left, and Shayne Gostisbehere after defeating Sweden 3-1 in the gold medal game at the IIHF World Junior ice hockey championships in Ufa, Russia, on Saturday.

UFA, Russia — The United States won the junior ice hockey championships on Saturday after Rocco Grimaldi scored twice and Vince Trocheck added an empty-net goal to clinch a 3-1 win over Sweden in the final.

Filip Sandberg put defending champion Sweden ahead on power play early in the second period, but Grimaldi then scored twice in a three-minute span to swing the game in the Americans’ favor.

He powered from behind the net to score an equalizer from a narrow angle, and then redirected Jacob Trouba’s slap shot from the blue line midway through second period.

“I was just happy (my goals) went in,” Grimaldi said. “Basically, I just threw it on the net (first one) and the second one just hit me in the chest and went in.”

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Sweden pulled its goalie for an extra player with 1:42 left but failed to capitalize. Instead, Trocheck rounded off the win with 16.7 seconds left.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our players and staff,” U.S. coach Phil Housley said. “And I’m also really happy for hockey fans in our country. This was a total team effort throughout the tournament. It was a very difficult challenge tonight against an excellent Swedish team.”

John Gibson made 26 saves for the victory and was the MVP of the tournament.

“We wouldn’t have this if it wasn’t for Gibby,” said Trouba, who was selected best defenseman. “We rode him all tournament, and he played phenomenal the whole tournament.”

“It feels great. I worry about the team first and winning a gold medal,” Gibson said. “I’ll remember that more than MVP.”

Niklas Lundstrom had 31 saves for Sweden.

It was the third title for the Americans, who also won in 2004 and 2010.

“It’s pretty special how a group of guys that don’t play together for a whole year and then come together can form a gold medal-winning team,” U.S. captain Jake McCabe said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to win this with.”

Earlier, Valeri Nichushkin scored an overtime winner to give Russia a 6-5 victory over Canada in the bronze-medal match.

Canada trailed throughout the match, but Brett Ritchie scored an equalizer with 9 minutes left of the third period to force overtime.

In the extra 10-minute period, Nichushkin broke down the right flank on a solo effort and skated in front of the goal to score into the left corner after just 1:35.